India must be the birthplace of conferences. Temples, mathas, and akhadas were once the epicenters of learning, while melas (large gatherings) facilitated the exchange of ideas and trade. Differences were resolved through dialogue and debate, ensuring the coexistence of thousands of sects with distinct, often conflicting ideologies. No other place in the world can rival the diversity of ideas that India displays.
The essence of melas or conferences has been lost. The debating tradition is a distant memory, and conferences are seen primarily as travel opportunities. It is not difficult to find a PhD student who has attended more than one international conference but not a single national conference. What you see in the Kumbh Mela is merely a relic of a glorious past.
(Posted on LinkedIn during the Kumbh Mela, 2025)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment